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Restaurant of the Week: Buendia Breakfast & Lunch Cafe

Buendia Breakfast & Lunch Cafe (Photo by Hannah Hernandez)

Restaurant of the Week: Buendia Breakfast & Lunch Cafe

Sep 4, 20242 min read

Each week, we want to highlight one of our favorite restaurants in Tucson!

With all of the warm smiles, brightly-colored dining room, and incredible food that makes you feel warm and fuzzy on the inside, it’s no surprise that the cafe is a favorite here in Tucson.

Buendia Breakfast & Lunch Cafe‘s popularity is spreading, too!

Last year, the restaurant landed on Yelp’s “Top 100 Places to Eat in 2023.”

Buendia Breakfast & Lunch Cafe (Photo by Erika Howlett)

At Buendia, nestled between the salt and pepper shakers on each table, you’ll find a third shaker labeled “alegría”— Spanish for “joy.” For owners Julio and Jael Garcia, this simple touch represents their mission and the lasting legacy they aim to create.

If you’re looking for a class breakfast experience, there’s plenty of that on the menu, but if you’re in the mood to try something unique, give the Buendia’s Poblano Pepper Stuffed with Corn Tamale and Cheese.

You’ll go home with a smile just as big as the one you were greeted with when you arrived.

Read our March 2024 article, “How Julio & Jael Bring Alegria to Tucson.”

Jael and Julio Garcia of Buendia Breakfast & Lunch Cafe (Photo by Erika Howlett)
Sonoran Restaurant Week 2024

Buendia is also participating in Sonoran Restaurant Week, which begins on Friday, September 6, and ends on Sunday, September 15 — that’s 10 days to experience some of the best food in Southern Arizona!

The restaurant is offering multiple prix fixe menus at $15 each.

Sonoran Restaurant Week Menu (September 6 – 15)

Breakfast Menu
  • Option One:
    • Entrée: Machaca & Eggs or Chorizo & Eggs
    • Dessert: Arroz con Leche
    • Drink: Sweet Cinnamon Iced Tea or Cafe de Olla
  • Option Two:
    • Entrée: Huevos Rancheros or Huevos Divorciados
    • Dessert: Arroz con Leche
    • Drink: Sweet Cinnamon Iced Tea or Cafe de Olla
Lunch Menu
  • Option One:
    • Entrée: Tacos Dorados
    • Dessert: Arroz con Leche
    • Drink: Sweet Cinnamon Iced Tea or Cafe de Olla
  • Option Two:
    • Entrée: Burritos Carne con Chile or Burritos Deshebrada
    • Dessert: Arroz con Leche
    • Drink: Sweet Cinnamon Iced Tea
Vegetarian Lunch Menu
  • Entrée: Caldo de Queso Cup and Flour Tortilla Quesadilla
  • Drink: Sweet Cinnamon Iced Tea or Cafe de Olla
Vegan Lunch Menu
  • Entrée: Nopales with Red Sauce or Nopal Ranchero; and Poblano Pepper Rajas Taco
  • Drink: Sweet Cinnamon Iced Tea or Cafe de Olla

To learn more about Sonoran Restaurant Week, visit sonoranrestaurantweek.com.

Buendia Breakfast & Lunch Cafe is located at 2530 N. First Ave. For more information, follow Buendia on Facebook

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Article written by:

Matt Sterner

Matt Sterner

More about Matt

At a very young age, Matt Sterner was gifted with the artistic ability to masterfully roll a burrito to the highest of standards, but the wrapped medley of delicious innards wasn’t his first love. Matt’s first true love was a combination of reading, writing, and creating. He grew up reading comics, the ingredients list of his shampoo and conditioner bottles, choose-your-own-adventure books, and the Scrabble dictionary — something he found useful when challenging his grandmother to a game.

He attended college at New Mexico State University and graduated with a degree in Digital Filmmaking. One of his favorite classes was screenwriting because he became responsible for the story’s birth before it came to life on-screen. After school, Matt took on numerous positions at a local television station in Tucson. From dealing out stories about heartbreak to producing “fluffier” content for a lifestyle broadcast, he learned what it takes to adapt to the many emotions the world of media can stir. Since 2017, Matt has dabbled in the culinary world of Tucson as well as San Diego, California from time to time.

If you’re in the mood for strange stories, head over to his pride and joy, wonkytimes.com. And in case you’re curious — yes, after all of this time, he still manages to roll a killer burrito.

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Proceeds support free programming throughout the Pueblos del Maíz Festival.@Tucsoncityofgastronomy opens the fifth annual @Pueblosdelmaiz Festival with Sabores del Pueblo on Thursday, Sept. 24, from 6–9 p.m. at Tucson GastroPark. Five local chefs will serve creative Tucson-inspired dishes alongside craft beer, wine, and bacanora tastings:❤️ • @chefjosetucson • @vindiola.claudia • @nick_avram • @dcsanner • @travisgarypeters 🎶 Hey Bucko! will provide live music Tickets are available in @tucsoncityofgastronomy’s bio. Tucson Foodie Insiders save 15% with code INSIDERS. Proceeds support free programming throughout the Pueblos del Maíz Festival.
Tucson’s barbecue options range from food trucks to full-service dining rooms. Some focus on classic Texas-style plates with butcher paper and simple sides. Others experiment with fusion dishes that blend barbecue with Mexican and Southwestern flavors. This variety gives diners plenty of options, whether they want a quick lunch or a sit-down meal.

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LAST CALL!

It’s the final day of @Sonoranrestaurantweek (September 13, 2026)! There’s still time to enjoy the great eats and deals across Tucson. Take a look at the menus on Tucsonfoodie.com/srw. 

Tag the restaurants that you loved the most! Thank you to everyone for being part of this incredible week.

Produced by Tucson Foodie 
Presented by @Visittucson 

#sonoranrestaurantweek #tucsonLAST CALL! It’s the final day of @Sonoranrestaurantweek (September 13, 2026)! There’s still time to enjoy the great eats and deals across Tucson. Take a look at the menus on Tucsonfoodie.com/srw. Tag the restaurants that you loved the most! Thank you to everyone for being part of this incredible week. Produced by Tucson Foodie Presented by @Visittucson #sonoranrestaurantweek #tucson